Trump stirs curiosity online after not placing hand on Bible during oath

US President Donald Trump took his oath of office with his right hand raised, but without placing his left hand on the two bibles that his wife Melania held as she stood by his side.

The apparent oversight has no practical impact, academics say, but it roused curiosity online.

Despite the inauguration pomp and a bracing speech, the top thing Americans searched for on Google in relation to Mr Trump this afternoon was about him not placing his hand on the bible.

What an incoming president swears on, whether it is a nible, a historical document or nothing at all, is not relevant to them assuming power, said Jeremi Suri, a University of Texas, Austin history professor and presidential scholar.

"There's nothing in the (US) constitution that says the president has to connect this to God in any way," he said. "The oath is to the constitution."

"I don't think it has any bearing on him taking the oath."

He added that the US constitution allows an incoming president to either swear or attest. The U.S.' founding fathers "left it open to someone who is an atheist," Mr Suri said.

Mr Trump's spokespeople did not respond to a request for comment.